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Monday, February 20, 2017

Mango Tiramisu

Mango Tiramisu

Mango Tiramisu and a Better Life

by Victoria Challancin

At the risk of sounding trite, I confess that I have long thought that life is just a little better once mango season begins. A bit brighter, a little more healthy, substantially more poetic. In addition to admitting that I love to eat flowers, I can also say that I like to eat mangoes for similar reasons: They taste like perfume, they evoke poetry, they give me an excuse to wax philosophical, if a bit silly.

Nowadays, we can get mangoes all year long. Before our own glorious season begins here in Mexico, they happily sneak their way up from South America even during the winter. No more waiting anxiously for the Mexican season to start. No more guessing will it be Manilas or Ataulfos that make their first appearance. No more biting fingernails dreading the end of the season. I buy more kilos than I care to say each week...eating them with abandon, putting them in everything, relishing the juice running down my chin...and just generally being a hedonist.

Building the tiramisu: a layer of soaked savoiardi

So when I saw a similar recipe to this one online last week, I knew I would have to make this mango tiramisu for the stunning conclusion to an Italian Cooking Class I was teaching to Mexican cooks. No, you probably won't find it in Italy. Yes, it was divine. Cream, mascarpone, orange liqueur, and mangoes? Seriously, what is there in this inspired combination that won't inspire weeping?

Tiramisù

I looked at a number of recipes, and cringed a bit when I saw it called "Mangomisu." Really, why do we do that? Tiramisù is an Italian word that actually refers to "pick me up," "cheer me up" or "lift me up." So what then would a "mangomisu" do, though I can't deny that mangoes in general lift and cheer me to no end. The dessert in Italy, loved throughout the world, consists of layers of sponge cake or savoiardi (ladies" fingers) soaked in coffee and brandy or liqueur with powdered chocolate and mascarpone cheese.And for those of you who love words as I do, tiramisù in Italian can be used in non-food related ways to express sincerity in any given situation, especially when trying to convey a true level of genuineness. And wait, there is more: the word can also be used to indicate a feeling of being misunderstood, particularly when feeling that genuineness and honesty is being impugned. How great is that?

A layer of mango filling

A Few Facts about Mangoes:

(Some of this is from mango.org, but other bits are from around the web)

Mangoes originated in India over 5000 years ago

Mangoes seeds started their journey around the world via humans from Asia to the Middle East, East Africa, and South America beginning around 300 to 400 A.D.

Mangoes are related to cashews and pistachios--is it any wonder they are so tasty?

A mango tree can grow as tall as 100 feet

The bark, leaves, skin and pit of the mango have been used in folk remedies for centuries

Mangoes are often considered to be a sacred fruit in India because it is believed that Buddha meditated under a mango tree

There are over 1000 (yes, one thousand) cultivars of mangoes

Mangoes can cause contact dermatitis to the lips, gums, or tongue of susceptible people (I remember fondly how my father would peel mangoes for my mother--we had our own tree--just for that reason; she could eat them, but would break out if she touched the outside part)

Mangoes are the national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines and the national tree of Bangladesh

The paisley pattern, which developed in India, is based on the shape of a mango

In Hinduism, the perfectly ripe mango is often held by Lord Ganesha as a symbol of attainment (i.e. of perfection)

Nutrition:

Mangoes provide 100% of the daily vitamin C, 35% of vitamin A and 12% of daily fiber

A one-cup serving is 100 calories

Mangoes are fat-, sodium-, and cholesterol-free. Whoopee!

Mangoes are antioxidant rich --think carotenoids such as alpha-carotene and beta-carotene and phenolic compounds as well

Mangoes contain over 20 different vitamins and minerals, which makes them a superfood

Mangoes contain a variety of nutrients, such as copper, vitamin B6, folate, and more

Mangoes are diet-friendly--they are naturally sweet, so eating them can help quash cravings for sugary sweets

Mangoes consist of about 83% water, which helps you feel full

Like pineapples and papayas, mangoes have a natural tenderizing properties, making them a popular ingredient in marinades for meats and poultry

Selection and Ripening:

Gently squeeze a mango to judge its ripeness; it will give slightly when ripe and will ripen further at room temperature over a few days

Ripe mangoes smell like heaven (my words, not the Mango Board's)

Color is not a determinate of ripeness--red does not mean ripe.

Like peaches or avocados, mangoes become softer as they ripen

Eating Mangoes and Mango Cuisine:

Mangoes are often sold in Latin American countries on a stick with the skin peeled back (often with chile; often cut into a beautiful design)

Mangoes are used unripe or green in chutneys, pickles, and even salads

Mangoes make a great addition to smoothies

Mangoes are used in curries and dahls

In Mexico, mangoes are often eaten with chile, salt, and lime juice

Mangoes are used in sweet preparations such as drinks, ice cream, pies, cakes, and more

For Mexican cuisine aficionados, mangoes make a great salsa and also are wonderful when added to guacamole

Spelling:

Both "mangos" and "mangoes" are acceptable spellings for the plural form of mango, and thought I prefer the former, for inexplicable reasons I have forced myself to include the "e" in this post. Go figure.

The beginnings of some mango "roses"

The finished masterpiece--of which the students were justifiably proud

Cook's Notes: This recipe, as written, didn't provide enough soaking syrup for our dish. We had to make extra. I think using two mangoes and two pits and doubling the other syrup ingredients would take care of that. The extra mango pulp in the filling would not detract. The flavor is heavenly with only one mango, but delicate. A bit more pulp would simply give it some "punch."

The original recipe does not include liqueur, but of course I had to add it, and it worked beautifully. We also shaved the mango with a vegetable peeler go get the strips to make the "roses." If you don't have a round glass dish like this or a bowl for trifle, simply make it in any ceramic mold. I love the look of the mango roses atop the dish, but cubes ore plain slivers would work if you don't feel "fiddly."

Prepare
the syrup by boiling the pit with the water and sugar , and then simmering it
until it reduces to about one cup. Strain into a wide bowl, add Grand Marnier, and
cool to room temperature.

For the filling: whip one cup of the chilled cream to stiff peaks. Keep aside.
Whisk together the mango puree, icing sugar and mascarpone cheese until smooth.
Fold this mixture into the heavy cream. Keep chilled until required.

For the assembly : dip the lady fingers one by one in the syrup, tap out excess
and line in your serving dish or plate. Spread a layer of the filling (about
1/2 cup). Lay down another layer of soaked lady fingers , topped by the
filling. Continue with as many layers of lady fingers as you want. Spread the
remaining filling on top. Chill 4 to 6
hours. Top with mango slices if desired.

Not just a pretty face...this dessert was just a delicate taste sensation

Parting Shot: Simple Mexican Beauty

In Mexico it seems that I can always find understated beauty in the nicest of ways...

23 comments:

Eha
said...

Lacking your verbal ability I can but say you have put a huge smile on my face: what a beauty! This gal who believes in first and main courses and usually conveniently 'forgets' desserty 'things' is going to make this is a hurry before our mango season finishes. We are too far in the boondocks to have too many mangoes [definitely my spelling :)!]] in the off-season! You would not like what happens to your Mexican avocadoes whilst travelling across the Pond! And an extra 'thank you' for your tuition regarding that gorgeous fruit: I so enjoy your lessons! Now > find some mangoes . . .

I loved this line Victoria and wholeheartedly agree with it, "A bit brighter, a little more healthy, substantially more poetic". We have just bought some smaller, red mangoes. Each type tastes so different!

You have outdone yourself, Vicki, with another wonderful posting. I love how you can educate,entertain, and encourage us with your shining brilliance. You deserve nothing less than a truck full of mangos (without an "e") Laura

Flavors of the Sun

Food for Thought:Musings from a cooking teacher living in Mexico on her lifetime affair with history, culture, travel, and food.

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About Me

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

Welcome to my site:
I am an American who has lived abroad for the last 37 years. For the last twenty five years, I have lived in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where I own Flavors of the Sun International Cooking School. The other twelve years were spent living in the Middle East and Europe or simply on the road traveling internationally.
I also lead small groups each year to Morocco, Paris, and Istanbul, with new destinations planned. While food is never far from my heart, these are not culinary trips. Rather, they are specialized and customized journeys designed to help the traveler extract as much as possible from the cultures, countries, and cities we visit.
This blog has basically grown out of my love for food, travel, and requests from clients and friends to share information, tips, and recipes.
Contact me at flavorsofthesun@gmail.com for more information regarding cooking classes or trips.